Christian Southlanders are unpacking tree ornaments and...

Christian Southlanders are unpacking tree ornaments and humming Christmas carols, sending packages of food and clothing to help the needy.

Their Jewish neighbors are preparing for Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights that celebrates religious freedom, from sundown Dec. 19 through Dec. 26.

This month is also marked by a number of special worship services for AIDS victims, following World AIDS Day on Tuesday.

For the rest of December, this column will be devoted to traditional and new ways to enjoy the winter holidays. Below are some of the ways to partake of the music, prayer, bazaars and fairs so abundant during this season.

CHRISTMAS

More than 200 unusual creches will be on view at the Orange Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) today at 4-9 p.m. and Sunday at 6-9 p.m. Music and a live Nativity program will be featured. Admission is free. 674 S. Yorba St., Orange. (714) 633-3368.

Woodland Hills Presbyterian Church shares treasured Christmas memories, stories, decorations and activities at 6-8 p.m. Sunday. The program will be preceded by a soup-and-salad meal and an enactment of the Christmas story and carols. 5751 Platt Ave. (818) 346-7894.

The Independent Church of Religious Science presents a series of Sunday Christmas healing services at 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 20 and 27. They will be at 4100 E. 7th St., Long Beach. (310) 433-0384.

An Advent workshop, featuring home crafts, supper and worship will be held at 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Church of Pasadena. Admission to the supper is one can of soup. 464 E. Walnut St. (818) 795-0696.

MUSIC

The Wayfarers Chapel celebrates a family-oriented Advent service, “Carols and Candles,” at 5 p.m. Sunday. Service highlights are music, a children’s Christmas story and a candlelight procession. 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes. (310) 377-1650.

Adult and children’s bell choirs of First Presbyterian Church of Downey present “Christmas Throughout the World: the Universal Message of Christ’s Birth” at 6 p.m. Sunday. Donations accepted. 10544 Downey Ave., Downey. (310) 861-6752.

A concert of “familiar and unfamiliar carols” will be performed by the St. Charles Borromeo Choir under the direction of Paul Salamunovich at 3 p.m. Sunday at Corpus Christi Church. Donations accepted. The church is at Carey and Toyopa streets in Pacific Palisades.

Christmas music performed by the Santa Monica High School Chamber Orchestra will be featured in Advent services at Mount Olive Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 452-1116.

Mariachis lead the singing of the Mananitas at 5:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Cathedral of St. Vibiana. A Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, follows. 114 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles. (213) 624-3941.

First Baptist Church at La Crescenta offers choir, full orchestra and audience participation at two performances: 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Admission is free, but tickets are required. 4441 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta. (818) 249-5832.

Carolers, instrumentalists, dancers and a living Nativity are the highlights of the musical “The Word” presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Bethany Baptist Church in West Covina. Tickets are $7.50. Children’s activities are available at $1 per child; nursery care for children 5 and under is free. 763 N. Sunset Ave., West Covina. (818) 962-8501.

HANUKKAH

Calligraphers, weavers, jewelers, paper-cutters, ceramists and other artisans of Judaica exhibit and sell their work at the 12th Annual Festival of Jewish Artisans at Temple Isaiah this evening and Sunday. The festival begins at 8 p.m. today with a performance by storyteller Gerald Fierst and music by oud player John Belzikjian. The festival continues Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and includes a children’s Hanukkah art workshop at a 1 p.m. family concert. Saturday admission is $10; Sunday admission is $2.50 for adults, $1 for children. Concert tickets are $2. 10346 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772.

University Synagogue holds its annual Hanukkah gift boutique at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. The synagogue’s creative Hanukkah workshop, followed by dinner, music and dancing, is presented Sunday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. For admission to the dinner, bring a gift worth $5 or more for distribution at shelters for battered women and their children. Reservations are required. Admission is $12, $8 for children under 13. 11960 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood. (310) 472-1255.

Temple Ner Maarav presents its annual holiday bazaar and auction all day Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. at 5180 Yarmouth Ave., Encino. (818) 345-7833.

Temple Ahavat Shalom’s Hanukkah Festival and Education Day is Sunday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. to noon. Classes, craft workshops, music games and food will be part of the fun. Bring an unwrapped gift for the needy. 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258.

HONORED

Jacob Pressman, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles, receives the Etz Chaim Award for distinguished service from the school named in his honor, the Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

A spiritual leader in the Los Angeles Jewish community for nearly half a century, Pressman was the synagogue’s rabbi for 35 years. He served as president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and the Rabbinical Assembly, West Coast Region. He was chairman of the board of governors of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Council.

He will be honored at a fund-raising dinner for the academy at Temple Beth Am. For ticket information, phone (310) 652-2002.

AIDS

The Westside Ecumenical Conference sponsors an Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope at 1:30 p.m. Sunday as part of its observance of World AIDS Day. Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels delivers a sermon entitled “AIDS and the Hands of God.” Worship is at the Unitarian Community Church, 1260 18th St., Santa Monica. (310) 917-6699.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church celebrates the liturgy of the Eucharist at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, with an anointing for those with AIDS or who are HIV-positive, their families and friends and care-givers. A Mass will also be offered for those who have died from AIDS.

The principal celebrant is Father Jack Beattie, pastor of St. Ambrose. He will be accompanied by Father Peter Liuzzi, archdiocesan director of pastoral ministry to lesbian and gay Catholics, and other priests. 1281 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood. (213) 656-4433.

Leo Baeck Temple holds a Service of Remembrance, Hope and Healing in support of people with AIDS and their loved ones at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. Rabbi Janet Marder, associate director of the Pacific Southwest Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, will speak. 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Bel-Air. (310) 476-2861.